Sounding off: You’ll need a loan for that cone

In his column “Klavon’s wage hike great for business and workers,” reliably liberal Joseph Mistick lauds the owner of Klavon’s Ice Cream Parlor in the Strip for increasing his starting wage to $15 an hour, in line with the current push for a similar nationwide minimum. The owner claimed he had 16 positions that went unfilled until he doubled wages, only to receive over a thousand applications.

Every business owner must make staffing and payroll decisions, yet one can only imagine how much the cost of a single scoop of Rocky Road will henceforth set you back going forward at Klavon’s.

While I have never sampled any of Klavon’s offerings, I would expect that the art of centering, balancing and shaping a scoop of Rocky Road on a cake cone must involve exhaustive training. Furthermore, adding a second or (gasp!) even a third scoop would surely require a master’s-level degree in ice creamology. One must cede the fact that talent of that level must be rightfully compensated. Thus, you can be certain that you will benefit from the expertise of a near $20 per hour (after tips) experience if you are tempted to see and taste for yourself.

The owner says more people are coming in because they want to “support a business that’s taking care of their employees.” Mistick says even if we pay a little more, it is no big deal if we are doing the right thing.

If you plan on stopping by as a family of four, you may want to look into a home equity loan.

Bill McMaster, Delmont

Ignoring science of abortion

It is commonplace today to demand that we accept the science of covid exposure and vaccination. Yet for the most part, many ignore the science of abortion and fetal development. Scientific progress is changing that debate.

At six weeks, the fetal heart pumps blood to its own body and brain. At 20 weeks, the fetus experiences pain and has muscle development, and the neural connections from the periphery to the brain are complete. We are able to perform fetal surgery, and the unborn baby is treated as a patient. Remarkably, 60% of all infants born at only 22 weeks will survive. Most unnerving is the fact that unborn babies recoil from tools used during the abortion procedure.

Many pro-abortionists identify as Christian, yet they refuse to see the fetus as a person. Many turn a deaf ear as to when life begins. Is it with a heartbeat or, as I believe, at conception? One can only assume that as science progresses, more individuals making that choice will see the fetus as a living, responding human being.

The purpose of this correspondence is not to judge anyone’s decision. However, the pro-abortionist decries “my body, my choice.” But who cries out for the unborn child? We ask for whom the bell tolls when in reality it tolls for all of us, and as a society there will be much to answer for as scientific progress continues to demonstrate the errors of our ways.

The decision in Roe v. Wade protects one’s choice, yet one person’s choice destroys the life of our most vulnerable brethren.

Richard Lafferty, Buffalo Township

How about some more money for seniors?

I listen to the news and read in the papers about all the extra money being handed out to families, larger unemployment checks and even funds for businesses, and while I do not doubt that they are needed, once again the people on Social Security are being forgotten. We got a tiny raise this year, and most of that was taken away by an increase in Medicare premiums.

We are being told the cost of living has not risen. Do those who make the determination for our checks grocery shop, buy gas, pay taxes or try to buy prescriptions? Earlier this year, my prescription price doubled from what it was last year, and then this month, when I had to renew the very same prescription I’ve been taking, it has more than doubled again.

Why can’t a bonus check be sent to seniors?

Saundra Janssen, Springdale

Cashless PNC Park is bad policy

In the middle of May, I took my daughter to watch the Pirates at PNC Park. She loves going to the ballpark and watching the Pirates. Unbeknownst to me, the ballpark had initiated a policy of not accepting cash, but only debit or credit cards. I had brought $120 cash with me for food and souvenirs. Luckily, I had also brought my debit card, just in case I ran out of cash.

I was shocked when the young lady behind the counter said no cash, only debit or credit. I explained that the bills say “legal tender, for all debts, public and private.” She indicated that all she knew was that they don’t take cash. I do not like to use my debit card, especially in environments where the chance of identity theft is greatly enhanced. Using my credit card would only increase the amount of money I paid for the food and souvenirs. (One 24-ounce beer was $18.50.)

Not sure who in their right mind came up with this policy, but it’s another example of just how out of touch corporations and government are with the people. The Pirates put a subpar team on the field year after year and then charge huge prices for basics. (I can get an entire case of Yuengling for $21.)

Another reason why nobody should attend Pirates games until they fix what’s on the field and in the ballpark!

Richard Bell, Ligonier Township

Questioning mental health of Trump, Greene

You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows, said a young Bob Dylan. Similarly, I don’t think a Ph.D in psychology is required to recognize that Donald Trump and Marjorie Taylor Greene are deeply disturbed, mentally ill individuals.

Even so, 27 mental health professionals published a book in 2017 warning Americans that Trump’s psychological condition presented a “clear and present danger” to the nation. This was before the lethal fiasco of Trump’s pandemic response and his incitement of deadly mob violence against our democracy on Jan. 6.

Beyond the clearly deranged Greene and the deluded lunatics who attacked the Capitol, there are throngs of registered Republicans who believe, or say they believe, an array of phantasmagorical conspiracy theories exalting Trump’s lies and demonizing Democrats.

In my opinion, the Trump cult stands as the most baneful example of what psychologists call shared psychotic disorder that America has experienced since the Salem Witch Trials of 1692.

The answers, my friend, aren’t blowing in the wind, but disinformation has been blowing up the airwaves for decades — and indoctrinating millions of malleable American minds — since Rush Limbaugh got rich and famous trashing the common good and inciting poisonous partisan tribalism after the Fairness Doctrine was eliminated.

David Ninehouser, Ambridge

Biden’s actions are not in line with Catholic faith

Op-ed contributor Gary Scott Smith wants you to believe that “Biden’s faith shapes his politics.” I don’t believe this is true. President Biden’s policies are shaped by his faith in big government and socialism, to be exact. He is Catholic in name only, as he picks and chooses which of God’s laws he will or will not obey. As Catholics, we are obligated to obey all of God’s laws.

On Sunday, Biden presents himself to receive Holy Communion (the body and blood of Jesus Christ) at Mass. However, come Monday, he funds and proclaims the virtues of Planned Parenthood, the most prolific provider of abortion in the world. This in itself violates God’s law, regardless of what any bishop might say.

Biden not only violates God’s law with his support of same-sex marriage, he mocked God by officiating at two same-sex weddings.

When asked by a reporter how many genders are there, he replied, “At least three.” Really! This cannot be the response of a faithful Catholic, as no amount of surgeries or pills can change one’s DNA. God created them, man and woman.

To support his op-ed, Smith offers statements made by Biden. One must be careful: You cannot judge a Democrat by what he says, but by his actions. All of this calls to mind those immortal words of President Donald Trump: Fake news!

Rudolph Puchan, Latrobe

Obscene displays desecrate our treasured flag

The article “Leechburg man defends obscene anti-Biden flag visible from preschool, daycare, church” missed the heart of the matter. I saw the same flag on Constitution Boulevard in Arnold. Both homeowners should be ashamed of themselves, but not for expressing a political view.

I couldn’t stand President Trump. They can’t stand President Biden. Fine. Express your dissatisfaction. But don’t do it by incorporating the American flag as part of an obscenity. To use Old Glory in such a manner is unpatriotic and is a desecration of our national symbol. For that reason alone, these flags should be removed. Let these people replace those atrocities with intelligent and thoughtful protest.

Also, just because that word is now in common parlance does not excuse it being displayed in view of churches, schools and families. There are community standards, and they should be observed and respected by all.

Leah J. Buchanan, Arnold